Johnny Dark Movie Book

64 Johnny Dark ’ s Kaiser Darrin Connection In the past many years, I ’ ve located 4 different pictures showing a Kaiser Darrin dressed up to publicize the Johnny Dark movie. I didn ’ t notice at first, but all 4 pictures are from one area of the country. Three of the pictures are from Toledo, Ohio, and one from De- troit, Michigan – close by and just north of Toledo. In all of the research and collecting I ’ ve done concerning this movie, no other pictures of publicity cars have surfaced, and no mention of the debut of the film in a special location was identified either. I ’ ve always assumed that the movie “ Johnny Dark ” premiered in Los Angeles, California or New York City. I would soon find out I was wrong, wrong, wrong. Close inspection of the photos reveals a few interesting tidbits: * First: In two photos, the date “ June 16 th ” is shown on the trunk of the car, and the loca- tion is identified as Toledo, Ohio. One of these pictures shows Jim Thomas behind the wheel. He lived in Toledo at the time and was at the premier of “ Johnny Dark ” too (photo from Jim Thomas Collection, 1954) * Second, the press photo I found showing the side of the Kaiser Darrin sports car is iden- tified as being taken in Toledo, Ohio. • Third: Three pictures show the same car with the words “ World Premier ” on the back of the car. Each side of the car has this notation on it. * Fourth: In another photo “ June 18 th ” is shown on the car. The location is identified as Detroit, Michigan. So … June 16th, 1954......World Premier … Toledo, Ohio ….. why is this important? Let ’ s put it in context with other known dates for this movie. Official Debut of Johnny Dark: A bit of research on the internet reveals key information for the opening date of the "Johnny Dark" Film: • New York Opening: Week of June 26 th , 1954 • Los Angeles Opening: Week of June 30 th , 1954